Workers to remove asbestos at Liverpool Middle School over break

Liverpool, NY – Contractors are removing asbestos in flooring tile, pipe insulation and fittings this week in a section of Liverpool Middle School in the Liverpool Central School District.

Staff and students are on winter recess from Monday to Friday. This will give workers enough time to complete the work and for air quality testing. Superintendent Richard N. Johns said the district expects to receive air quality test results by Saturday.

Students, teachers and staff members will not be allowed in the building until air samples are acceptable per the New York State Department of Labor’s requirements.

• 10-day prior notification postings.
• Securing a 25-foot section around the area of removal with red asbestos danger tape.
• Installing critical solid barriers with two layers of plastic inside the removal area.
• Air monitoring by independent service consultant.

At the Feb. 7 Board of Education meeting, the board approved a change order to remove the asbestos over February break. The work must not exceed $75,000, according to the change order.

Art Connors, the district custodian, said the cost of the removal has increased because there is no way of knowing how much asbestos is present until demolition starts. Connors told the board that there are other areas to be looked at this summer, but the majority of the asbestos issue should be resolved after February break.